Monday, November 18, 2013

Nicky Santora (center) with other mobsters as seen in police surveillance photos from a mob trial.

Aging Bonanno family boss Nicky "Cigars" Santora was recently released from federal prison and hoping to get sprung on lower bail — or house arrest — in his corruption, racketeering, loansharking, extortion and Viagra-peddling case.

But instead of getting to post the $1 million bond or $500,000 cash that was originally set, an irked Manhattan judge revoked his bail and sent him back to city lockup Friday when new bone-headed bad behavior came to light. Bonanno family capo Nicky "Cigars" Santora at a bail hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court on Friday. The judge revoked his bail.

The sickly 72-year-old mobster had allegedly chatted away with other bad guys on recorded jailhouse calls — in one, telling an associate to contact “that kid with the 22 in Florida,” an apparent reference to a .22-caliber gun.

He has also apparently been in touch with members of his gang of goodfellas, and even blabbed about wanting to cash in on illicit earnings “pertaining to his lifetime of organized criminality,” said Assistant District Attorney Gary Galperin. Bonanno family capo Nicky "Cigars" Santora appears at a bail hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court on Friday. Santora, in jail for loan-sharking, racketeering and peddling Viagra, among other charges, was denied a bail reduction.

But Santora’s lawyer said he has medical needs that are not addressed in jail.

“In fact, recently Mr. Santora had his head cracked open and had to go to the hospital as a result,” attorney Michael Alber said.

Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Melissa Jackson said she was “disturbed” to learn of past probation violations and other jail misconduct. He faces up to 25 years in prison.